Lakes state passes firearms bill
April 10, 2013 (RUMBEK) – The Lakes state Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a Firearm Bill which makes it compulsory to register all firearms and extends more powers to the state and county authorities to disarm any pastoralists who do not comply with the Bill or who are responsible for cattle raiding and other violence.
Twenty two lawmakers were absent from the parliament when the new law was passed. According to the assembly clerk, 7 MPs had been given official permission to go for a medical checkup in Juba but the other 15 MPs had not given a clear reason for their absence.
The new law, which was put forward by Lakes state minister for parliamentary affairs, Maria Paul Jebi, was voted for by 26 MPs. Lakes state’s parliament has 49 MPs, of which one position has been vacant since Stephen Matoch, who represented Rumbek North, died in last year.
Marial Amum Malek MP told Sudan Tribune, that the house had passed the Firearms Bill and that it would be signed into law on Thursday by Caretaker Governor, who who replaced his elected predecessor in January with a mandate from the President to tackle insecurity in Lakes state/
The Firearms Bill is aimed at reducing cattle raiding and the movement of cows from one cattle camp to another, Amum said.
The Bill also imposed three year sentences against any person who does not register their firearms, including a fine of 5,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP).
Critics say that some MPs feel that the new Governor is undermining and threatening the parliament.
(ST)